IS WOMEN EMPOWERMENT A THREAT OR A PROMISE? DOES MASCULINITY NEED REDEFINING?

GENDER COMPLEXITIES OF THE FUTURE

Imagine this for a moment.

Your son grows up, marries the girl of his dreams. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and everything he ever wanted. But he was raised to believe that his worth as a man lies solely in how much he earns. That providing is his only role. His only identity.

Now imagine he suddenly loses his job. His business collapses. The money dries up. And it takes longer than expected to bounce back. What happens then? Would he survive the storm of shame, the pressure, the silent battle with depression? Would he hold on long enough to rebuild, or would he give up?

Now flip the script.

What if that same beautiful girl lands an unexpected breakthrough? Her income shoots through the roof. She can now provide for herself and the entire family, just like he used to.

Would he feel proud of her or threatened by her success? Would he let her shine or pressure her to resign, just so he could feel needed again? Would his self-worth depend on her financial dependence? Would she still stick to him even when she earns more?

Let’s be honest. The girl child is rising. She’s going to school. She’s asking questions. She’s building businesses. She’s finding her voice. And rightly so. But how many boys are being prepared to walk beside her, not ahead of her?

How many boys are being mentored into men who can team up with empowered women rather than compete with them? And how many girls are being raised to understand that a man’s worth goes far beyond his wallet?

The future isn’t coming. It’s already here. The lines between traditional gender roles are shifting. Masculinity and femininity are evolving. This isn’t a question of if. It’s about when, and whether we’re raising young people who can thrive in this new reality.

This week, I’m honored to represent the Boys-to-Men Mentorship Program of Capacity Beyond Ltd at the Positive Masculinity Conference organized by MEMPROW Uganda. With voices from Uganda, DR Congo, Burundi, Germany, and Liberia, we are exploring how masculinity has changed from precolonial times to today and what to do going forward.

Today’s session reminded me of a powerful topic during our mentorship camps. We call it, “Becoming the Man an Empowered Woman Needs.”

Today, I am reminded that these conversations must go beyond conferences. They should echo in our homes, schools, churches, mosques, and communities louder. Men and women must learn to collaborate, not compete.

Because in a gender war, no one wins. When women “win,” they have lost. Why? it’s their sons, brothers, husbands, and male friends who lose. And when men “win,” it’s the men themselves who lose. Why? Their daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers pay the price.

We need each other. Always have. Always will.

Banio Luiji Nobert

Coach | Trainer |Speaker | Author

Boys-to-Men | Team Building | Sales | MEP Masterclasses (Life beyond that job)

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